Panjim, April 18   : Goa being a land of festivals has a lot to showcase to the world and one of the most interesting elements are its festivals.  There’s  a double treat  in the second  fortnight  of April 2018.

Goa Tourism is all set to conduct two of its most captivating events, the Grape Escapade  and  Goa Vintage Car & Bike Festival 2018.

 Grape Escapade 2018:  India’s much loved  Lifestyle  and  Wine Festival organized by Goa Tourism through   Goa Tourism Development Corporation  (GTDC), the ‘Grape Escapade 2018’, is all set to begin from  April 19- 22  at the D.B. Bandodkar Ground, Campal, Panjim from 6pm onwards.

This is the 14^th edition of the Grape Escapade. The four day event is expected to draw lakhs of tourists in view of the on-going summer vacations  and  surge in tourists to the State.

Over the years, Grape Escapade has provided a platform for local enterpreneurs to share expertise, display products, engage in B2B, and offers  tourists and  Goans an opportunity to  savour on flavours from the vineyard, taste Goan food and experience Goa’s traditions and culture.

The event is a celebration of the finest – wine, food, fashion and entertainment. The 4 day festival brings together a host of professionals from the tourism & hospitality industry; hoteliers, restaurateurs, wineries and manufacturers to showcase their premium offerings.

Goa Vintage Car & Bike Festival 2018: Goa Tourism’s Vintage Bike and Car festival is ready to hit the streets  of Panjim  on 29^th April  2018  at the INOX Courtyard from 10.00 a.m. onwards.

Various vintage bike and car owners, users, collectors and fans  will parade along with  their prized possessions around the capital city of Panjim.

The vintage bike and car rally will route from INOX courtyard  to  Miramar Circle and  further proceed to Divja circle and head back to  INOX Courtyard  where they will be  on display  till 6.00 pm. This will be followed by a function  to award prizes and  certificates   for various categories  of vintage  vehicles. Some  of  the categories  will include the oldest automobile, most appealing and  the rarest etc.

A fashion show and various other entertainment programmes would be lined-up in the evening to engage the audience and make this event a memorable one.

 Panaji: April 18, 2018 … Minister for Labour and Employment Shri. Rohan Khaunte launched on-line services of Labour Department today.

          The Labour Department has taken a step forward to make its services accessible to the public through www.goaonline.gov.in portal in order to improve the efficiency, accuracy and make application processing  methodology transparent with minimum human intervention,

          Stressing the advantages of the online platform, Shri Khaunte said, public need not visit the department to apply for a new registration or renewals.  They can do so by submitting their application online who also can view and download a digitally signed Registration certificate on a real time basis.

          All status updates of the application will be intimated to the applicant via SMS and email. Applicant will also be to check the response towards the application through the portal. The above initiative is launched as eDistric MMP of Department of Information Technology and developed and designed by Goa Electronics Limited the minister added.

          Shri P. S. Reddy, Secretary for Labour and Employment and Shri Gopal Parsekar, Commissioner for  Labour and Employment were present.   

Panaji, April 17, 2018  …. Minister for Panchayat Shri. Mauvin Godinho will be releasing Rs 10,000/- each for the all Panchayats as grants for conducting activities in their jurisdiction on Panchayat Raj Day, which will be celebrated across  the state on April 24.

As part of Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan, a Village Self Governance Campaign will be celebrated in the state from April 14 to May 5, 2018. The Abhiyaan will have convergence of the flagship programmes of the Government such as  Swatchh Bharat Mission, Pradhan Matri Ujjwala Yojana, Kisan Kalyan Yojana, Mission Indradhanush and  Ujawal Scheme etc.

The Abhiyaan is aimed to promote social harmony, reach out to poor rural households and obtain feedback  on ongoing programmes, enhance livelihood opportunities and re-emphasize national priorities such as  cleanliness and strengthen Panchayat Raj Institution. During the campaign various activities will be  also conducted at Panchayat level.

Swachch Bharat Divas will be celebrated throughout the State on behalf of Directorate of Panchyats on  April 18, 2018. Activities such as rallies, drawing competition’s, Rangoli competition’s, shramdaan for  cleaning activities will be also conducted during the one day celebration.

National Panchayat Raj Day will be also celebrated on April 24, 2018. Wherein, to interact with the  children’s and to know their problems Bal Gram Sabhas will be conducted in afternoon.

Exhibition will be organized in the Panchayat to showcase the models of good Governance along with  success stories of various schemes of Gram Panchayats, the State Government and Government of India by  way of posters, Banners, Photographs and A/V materials. Also special Gram Sabhas will be conducted by
every Panchayat on April 24 at 10 am. Gram Sabhas will discuss the theme “Swapnatlem Goem Sobit Goem”.  Other issues like safe drinking water and  sanitation will also be discussed.

Panaji, April 17, 2018 …  “Goa has its own unique identity, which has to be retained, maintained and its value enhanced,” said Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri. Suresh Prabhu on Monday while addressing a press briefing at Dabolim.

Shri. Prabhu further said that Dabolim airport would be modernised and renovated with an extension of terminals, multi-layer parking etc to ensure that it remains functional to meet the growing demands of tourism in the state of Goa.

The Minister informed that the Civil Aviation Ministry has launched a programme for skill development. He also said that the Taxi drivers’ grievances would be looked into as the airport authority will enter into an agreement with Government of Goa to operate an additional counter which will be run by Goa tourism to ensure local taxis get more opportunities. At this counter, local produce and products from Goa will be sold.

Panaji: April 16, 2018  … Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration in a press note issued has stated that, as per the notification issued by the Central Government steroidal drugs such as Alclometasone, Beclomethasone, Betamathasone, Desonide, Desoximetasone, Dexamethasone, Diflorasone diacetate, Fluocinonide, Fluocinolone acetonide, Halobetasol Propionate, Halometasone, Methylprednisone, Prednicarbate, Triamcinolone acetonide, under schedule H, as per Rule 97 of Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the formulation containing these drugs are to be sold only on the prescription of Registered   Medical Practitioner (RMP) and are to be supplied only under the personal supervision of a Registered Pharmacist.

            It is informed that this notification is uploaded  on the website  www.dfda.goa.gov.in   for the concerned individuals/hospitals/medical stores/doctors etc. to take note of it.

 Panaji: April 16, 2018  …  Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration has advised food handler, food sellers and others to avoid handling currency and food simultaneously.

            Currency notes and coins are widely exchanged for goods  and services by all sections of society. Handling of currency with unclean and soiled hands, use of saliva during counting, and storage under unhygienic conditions leads to its contamination with harmful microorganisms. Cross contamination from currency is a risk to human health leading to a wide variety of disease including food poisoning and skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Children, pregnant women, aged and immune-compromised person are particularly vulnerable to such infections.

            FDA has further stated that food vendors, especially street food vendors, often prepare and serve food, and collect money from patrons using the same hand. Hence it is recommended that gloves be used to handle food and bare hands be used to handle currency. Ideally, handling of food and money should be physically separated. After handling currency, hands should be thoroughly washed before touching food and vice versa.  

Panaji 16th April 2018 ::: Goa Tourism’s Vintage Bike and Car festival is ready to hit the streets  of Panjim  on 29^th April  2018  at the INOX Courtyard from 10.00 a.m. onwards.

Various vintage bike and car owners, users, collectors and fans  will parade along with  their prized possessions around the capital city of Panjim.

     The vintage bike and car rally will route from INOX courtyard  to  Miramar Circle and  further proceed to Divja circle and head back to  INOX Courtyard  where they will be  on display  till 6.00 pm. This will be followed by a function  to award prizes and  certificates   for various categories  of vintage  vehicles. Some  of  the categories  will include the oldest automobile, most appealing and  the rarest etc.

A fashion show and various other entertainment programmes would be lined-up in the evening to engage the audience and make this event a memorable one.

 Panaji: April 16, 2018 … Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration as per the directions issued from the Government of India has informed all the drugs retailers, wholesalers, manufactures, Government Hospitals, Districts hospitals, UHC/CHC/PHC, Dispensaries under the Directorate of Health services, Goa Medical Colleges and  Hospitals, ESI Hospitals, Dispensaries, MPT Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories, Private Nursing Homes,  Hospitals, Goa Medical Council/IMA’s as well as all the Registered Medical Practitioners across the state that test kits used in Antibody Detecting Rapid Diagnostic Test for routine diagnosis of Malaria is banned with immediate effect for manufacture for sale, sale and distribution.

            This notification is uploaded on the website www.dfda.goa.gov.in for the concerned individuals/hospitals/medical stores/doctors etc. to take note of it.

Panjim: April 15, 2018 … Minister for Rural Development and Housing Shri. Jayesh Salgaonkar  met Minister for Power Shri. Pandurang Madkaikar to discuss the problems of frequent load shading observed in the area of Saligao at Secretariat Porvorim today. This meeting was attended by the senior officials of Electricity department where in numerous problems faced by people from saligao due to load shading were discussed. Minister Shri. Salgaokar stressed upon the need to upgrade the facilities which could improve the power supply as so far no provisions are done to tackle the shortfalls of electricity supply in the Saligao. He also informed in the meeting that only main power line is laid and  no other infrastructure is raised to improve the power supply in the area of Saligao.

            Minister Shri. Salgaonkar had a discussion over the proposal to construct 220/33 KV substation  at Saligao by which people could have permanent relief from load shading.

People of Saligao are facing hardship as there is frequent load shading. Hence Minister Shri. Salgaonkar put forward the various proposals to get uninterrupted power supply at least  for another 40 to 50 years.  

Panaji: April 14, 2018 …. Health Minister Shri Vishwajit Rane paid visit to Goa Dental College and held a meeting with the HOD of Goa Dental College to acquaint himself about Staff issues and Departmental functioning in Dental College Bambolim recently.

Dr.Ida de Noronha de Ataide, Dean of Goa Dental College, Dr. Manisha Khorate, HOD of Oral Medicine, Diagnosis and Radiology, Dr. Steven Rodrigues, HOD of  Pedodontics, Dr. Nandini Kamat, HOD of Orthodontics, Dr. Jyoti Rao, HOD of Periodontics, Dr.Vikas Dhupar, HOD of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. Meena Aras, HOD of Prorthodontics, Dr. Anita Kama,t HOD of Community Dentistry, and Dr. Anita Spadigam, HOD of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology were present for the meeting.

          Shri Rane during his visit also inspected all the wards and attended to the grievances of students and patients. He also directed the concerned authorities to provide latest equipments immediately.